Mistakes I Made in my First Year

The first year - it’s exhilarating, terrifying, satisfying, and overwhelming. You can read a million books, scroll down every blog, and meditate on every scenario, but the only way to find the business flow that works for you is to dive right in and figure it out. So, of course, we all learn what doesn’t work along the way. I want to share with you some of the mistakes I made in my first year of business, and what I would have done differently.

1. Questioning my worth. When I first started charging for my services, I didn’t feel confident having my prices reflect the amount of work I put in. Instead, I allowed my prices to reflect my experience - which wasn’t very extensive. I would offer such low prices that I sometimes didn’t even make a profit, and when I was asked for a discount, I thought the only way to grow my business was to slap on a smile and say yes. Of course, you can't start off with the highest prices with no experience to back it up, but you need to find rates that work for you.

2. Never saying no. I thought I had to accept any and every client, even if they were the polar opposite of my ideal clients. I was building my portfolio, and thought I needed every session I could get to show my ability, get some practice, and have frequent content to share. But when it comes down to it, photographing clients that didn’t fit my aesthetic didn’t help my business - unideal clients would only send more unideal clients, and photos featuring a style I didn’t love wouldn’t attract the clients who want the style I had envisioned, and it sure wouldn’t develop my brand. The same goes for clients that seem difficult to work with - to be blunt, not everyone is going to be your cup of tea, and if you sense that someone may clash with you, avoid getting involved. Thankfully, that’s something I’ve understood from the start!

3. Overextending to over-please. I wanted so badly to give my clients the best experience imaginable that I would say yes to everything they asked and offer every complimentary service I could. I would make promises that required me to put my business before myself, which isn’t something anyone should do. We need rest, we need fresh perspective, and we need to be healthy to do our jobs the best we can! Don’t add on extra services for free just because you think it's what your clients want to hear. Treat your clients the way you would want to be treated, but don’t forget that your business needs to be profitable and worth it for you.

You’ll make mistakes too…it’s bound to happen! But don’t be afraid of them. Stay committed, stay determined, and keep your eye on not only success, but growth!